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Rangers go with three catchers for now

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Chirinos' RBI single 0:20

3/29/14: Robinson Chirinos crushes an opposite-field single off the wall in right to score Shin-Soo Choo and move Jim Adduci to third

By T.R. Sullivan
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MLB.com |

SAN ANTONIO -- The Rangers are going with three catchers at least for the first four games of the season, and J.P. Arencibia will be behind the plate for Opening Day. Robinson Chirinos and Chris Gimenez are also on the roster.

Gimenez was claimed on waivers from the Athletics on Friday and has to be on the Major League roster for 72 hours. That meant he had to be on the Opening Day roster at least. Chris Snyder, who signed a Minor League contract earlier this week, was assigned to Triple-A Round Rock.

The Rangers have until next Saturday to decide who will be their backup catcher behind Arencibia. The Rangers can carry an extra position player because they don't have to put rookie pitcher Nick Martinez on the Major League roster until he makes his first start on Saturday.

Chirinos has only played 33 games over the past two years with a .205 batting average, but won a job with a terrific spring, hitting .438.

"I think we have to be patient and see all the things he's been working on, how well he's able to hold on to them," manager Ron Washington said. "But he's certainly a big turnaround from last year. He was a pusher, last year he pushed the ball off his bat. We'll have to wait and see if he can sustain."